Published:
February 25, 2008Environment
Agency appeals for help after oil spill near Burnham

Members
of the public could hold vital clues to last week's serious oil
spill in the village of Mark, near Burnham-On-Sea, where a pollution
clean-up operation continued on Monday (February 25th).

The
alarm was first raised last Thursday - as reported
here on Burnham-On-Sea.com - after thick black oil was discovered
in the Mark Yeo, a drainage rhyne connecting the River Axe with
the River Brue.

The
Environment Agency said on Monday it believes the oil was deliberately
dumped into the waterway by an unknown person.

Staff
and volunteers from the Secret World Animal Centre and Burnham's
BARB rescue team were quickly at the scene rescuing swans, geese
and ducks while Agency officers deployed two anti-pollution booms
and absorbents to contain the oil.

While
several waterbirds showed clear signs of oil contamination, no
dead fish have been found - although the pollution has now affected
2.5 km of watercourse and is expected to take several days to
clean up.

On
Friday, a third boom was deployed upstream of the village to capture
any fresh spills of oil.

And
on Monday, Agency officers believe they discovered the source
of the pollution after heavy oil staining was found on the western
bank of the Mark Yeo.

The
oil is thick in consistency suggesting it might be waste oil,
said Jim Grundy for the Environment Agency.

"It
looks heavier than diesel and may have been deliberately dumped.
Fortunately, the booms have prevented the spread of oil downstream
and enabled us to contain the pollution."

"We
would especially like to hear from anyone who might have information
about this incident. We are continuing our investigation and looking
at all possible sources for this pollution that has had a serious
impact on the Mark Yeo."

There
is an unconfirmed report that a person was seen pouring waste
industrial oil from a barrel into the Mark Yeo along the Pill
Road between Mark and Rooks Bridge. Agency officers are following
up this important lead and are keen to identify the person concerned.

Meanwhile,
the rescued swans, ducks and geese whose feathers were coated
in oil are recovering at the Secret World Wildlife Centre where
it is understood they are responding well to the treatment.